Dracaena plant named ‘0104SJ’

ABSTRACT

A distinct Dracaena plant named ‘0104SJ’ characterized by its compact growth habit, growth rate 10-20% higher than Dracaena ‘White Jewel’; narrow, ensiform leaves; leaf length of 30 cm and leaf width of 6.5 cm; leaf coloration: dark green margin, closest to RHS 139A; pure white stripes next to margin; center color is light grey green, RHS 190D; stripes along center are green, RHS 139A and greyish green, RHS 189D, with whiteish stripes.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Dracaena Vand. Ex. L. fragrans (group Compacta)

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘0104SJ’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Dracaenaplant botanically known as Dracaena Vand. Ex. L. fragrans (groupCompacta) and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘0104SJ’.

The new cultivar was selected by the inventor, Ruud A. M. Scheffers, inHonselersdijk, The Netherlands, in July 1998. The new cultivar wasobtained as a natural mutation of Dracaena Vand. Ex L. fragrans (groupCompacta) ‘White Jewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,433).

The new cultivar was first asexually propagated by the inventor inHonselersdijk, The Netherlands, in October 1998. Subsequent asexualreproduction of the new cultivar by division has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and in combinationdistinguish ‘0104SJ’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. compact growth habit;

2. growth rate 10-20% higher than Dracaena ‘White Jewel’;

3. narrow, ensiform leaves;

4. leaf length of 30 cm and leaf width of 6.5 cm;

5. leaf coloration: dark green margin, closest to RHS 139A; pure whitestripes next to margin; center color is light grey green, RHS 190D;stripes along center are green, RHS 139A and greyish green, RHS 189D,with whiteish stripes.

‘0104SJ’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype on the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, anddaylength without any change in genotype. The following observations,measurements and values describe plants grown in Honselersdijk, TheNetherlands under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in horticultural practice.

In comparison with the well-known Dracaena cultivar Dracaena Vand. Ex.L. fragrans (group Compacta) ‘Ulises’ (unpatented), ‘0104SJ’ grows muchmore compact, the leaves of ‘0104SJ’ are shorter and stronger than theleaves of ‘Ulises’. In comparison to ‘White Jewel’ (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 09/326,615) ‘0104SJ’ has relatively more green inthe leaves than ‘White Jewel’, and ‘0104SJ’ also has shorter andstronger leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The first drawing illustrates a 16-weeks old plant of Dracaena ‘0104SJ’propagated from a top, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type. The second drawing illustrates a 16-weeksold plant of Dracaena ‘0104SJ’ propagated from a top and a 16-week oldplant of Dracaena ‘White Jewel’, with colors being as true as possiblewith illustrations of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practicessuch as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

Parentage: Dracaena Vand. Ex. L. fragrans (group Compacta) ‘WhiteJewel’.

Propagation: Primarily by vegetative division of the plant head orapical meristem.

General observations:

Growing conditions.—‘0104SJ’ is grown in a greenhouse. The growerpropagates ‘0104SJ’ in a normal commercial greenhouse under temperaturesof 20-21 degrees Celsius day and night. As with most Dracaena varieties,‘0104SJ’ does not stand direct sunlight, so sun shields are closed whensunlight becomes to bright. No artificial lighting or photoperiodictreatments are conducted. Highest temperature resistance is at least 40degrees Celsius, lowest is 5 degrees Celsius. Resistance, tolerance andsusceptibility to stresses, pathogens and pests is very good. Compoundfertilizer is added to the soil. There are no other cultural orenvironmental treatments.

Plant habit:

Growth rate.—10-20% higher than Dracaena ‘White Jewel’.

Form.—Medium compact, slightly elongated.

Plant height.—Approximately 30 cm.

Plant width.—Approximately 65 cm.

Leaves:

Form and size.—Narrow, ensiform with parallel ribs in the length:approximately 30 cm in length and 6.5 cm in width, base is cuneate, tipis accuminate.

Leaf arrangement.—Spiral.

Texture.—Strong and leathery.

Veins.—One main vein, visible only on the underside of the leaf(mid-rib), RHS 139 C.

Upper side color.—Margin is darker green but closest to RHS 139 A andapproximately 2 cm in width. The width of (all color) stripes differsper leaf, the very center is light grey green RHS 190 D, the stripe nextto the margin is pure white (no R.H.S. comparable color), theapproximately 1.4 cm wide stripes on both sides of the very centerstripe is a composition of various colors and sizes, thinner lines ofgreen (including RHS 139 A), greyish green (including RHS 189 D) andalmost white lines up.

Under side Color.—Similar to the upper side only lighter. Distinctdifference is the mid-rib which is thick and green (RHS 139C) and at thebase approximately 6 mm wide.

Margin.—Entire and slightly curled.

Depth.—Medium.

Number.—Approximately 21 to 25 per 16-week old plant propagated from atop.

Flowers: No flowers observed to date.

Stem:

Length.—Short, approximately 3 cm.

Diameter.—2 cm and formed by bases of leaves.

Color.—green (RHS 145 C) to white.

Other.—Strong.

Roots.—Orange-brown (RHS 168 D) in color, it takes approximately 3 weeksto initiate roots and approximately 7 weeks are needed to produce arooted liner.

Plant disease/insect tolerance: ‘0104SJ’ has a very high resistanceagainst diseases and a very high tolerance against insects.

Reproductive organs: No flowers observed to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named‘0104SJ’, as described and illustrated herein.